Soft Buttery Sugar Cookie Bars (Printable View)

Soft, buttery sugar cookie layers with creamy vanilla frosting. Quick to make and feeds a crowd.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
02 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Creamy Frosting

08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 - Pinch of salt
13 - Food coloring, optional
14 - Sprinkles for decoration, optional

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing edges to overhang for easy removal later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to butter mixture, beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture.
06 - Transfer dough to prepared pan and press evenly across bottom using hands or spatula, creating a uniform layer.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center is set. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan before frosting.
08 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating until smooth and spreadable consistency forms.
09 - Mix in vanilla extract and pinch of salt. Add food coloring if desired and beat until uniform color.
10 - Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled cookie bars. Sprinkle with decorations immediately if using.
11 - Using parchment paper overhang, lift bars from pan. Cut into 24 equal squares and serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The texture is impossibly soft, like a cross between a cookie and a piece of birthday cake
  • They travel beautifully to picnics, potlucks, and school parties without crumbling
  • You can frost them any color and customize sprinkles for any holiday or celebration
02 -
  • Let the bars cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt into a sad, sticky mess
  • Do not overbake these because they continue cooking in the hot pan and should stay soft and pale
  • The dough will feel thick and slightly sticky, which is exactly right for this recipe
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are nonnegotiable for the texture that makes these bars special
  • Sifting the powdered sugar saves you from tiny lumps in your otherwise perfect frosting

Go back